Legend Op. 17 [HL:133806]

''Légende'' op. 17 for violin and piano, was written in 1859 in Ostende, when he had fallen passionately in love with Isabelle Hampton, his future wife. Nostalgia, pain and love emanate from each element of the work, all factors contributing to the works over-riding expressive aims: a minor key, a lyrical, tuneful melody, a ballad atmosphere, gradation of intensity by means of the increasing use of tremolo in the accompaniment, and tonal contrast - G major being used in the middle section. The work is a typicalRomantic miniature, with a simple tripartite ABA structure. It possesses an intense, expressive charge as a whole.

“Légende” is the most popular and personal of Wieniawski's works. The piece has been approved by violinists (professionals, amateursand students), listeners and great composers who have succumbed to its charm and inspiring power, which has been going on for 140 years (eg P. Czajkowski - “Meditations”).